Arabic literature has always been conceived as realistic. The reason
for this pertains to the fact that it is closer to life and strongly related to it,
it has been argued. Arabic poetry which is the most important genre of
Arabic literature is the cannon that keeps alive Arab history, their dignity
and heroism. Seen in this light, these are cases lent the element of
truthfulness in Arabic literature a more vital role, in determining what is
good Arabic literature. The point, therefore, is that literatures that are
lacking in the element of truthfulness are always defined as inauthentic.
This research sets out to investigate the present of the element of
truthfulness in Arabic literature and study the effect it has generated upon
the thoughts of Arabic critics in the period from the pre-Islamic age to the
8th century of Higra. The title of this part, therefore, is: the Elements of
Truthfulness in Arabic Literature and its Effect upon the Thoughts of
Arab Critics up to the End of the 8th Century of Higra.
Chapter one and chapter two of this research investigate the
different viewpoints of Arab critics regarding the relationship between
literature and life and their role in defining the element of truthfulness,
this includes the aims and objectives they tended to realize through
literature, this is on the one hand, and the relationship between literature
and moral values on the other.
Chapter three investigates the concept of truthfulness as has been
represented by old critical schools of literature, the points of agreement
these schools meet at with modern schools of criticism. As well as the
point of difference. The objective, hereby, is to determine whether old
schools critics have had any interest in the counterpart modern schools.
Chapter four analyzes this difference and tries to underline the reason
behind it.
Chapter five investigates the causes and effect that violate poetic
experience of some of its aspects, hence hinders its vitality. A
considerable concern has been coasted upon the element of truthfulness
as one of these important aspects. Some interest in the way Arab critics
treat these aspects is also proved in this chapter.
The last chapter of this research analyzes the criteria upon which
Arab critics based their interpretation of the element of truthfulness. The
chapter also analyzes the measure that transcends truthfulness and reality,
and which almost comes close to lying. The chapter also focuses on the
effect of such understanding upon creativity and tries to bring to light its
positive as well as its negative sides.
This study arrived at a pivotal conclusion: that truthfulness, being a
critical and literal concept which entered the domain of literature had an
impact on broad spectrum of Arab critics, to the extent that almost all of
our Arab critics till (8th A. H.) where effected by its concepts.
Some of them had gone too far in dealing with it to the extent that
without the existence of the concept of truthfulness the literal text will be
deemed void of any literal or technical value.